Luis Enrique’s Barca tactics paying off
Print Edition
BARCELONA has rediscovered its appetite and is dazzling in attack again as coach Luis Enrique’s tactics are starting to pay off.
A month ago Luis Enrique was in the eye of a hurricane over an alleged bust up with star player Lionel Messi and his days at the helm of the team appeared to be numbered.
The former Barcelona player had been brought in after a season where it had failed to win a major trophy and put in charge of a new project that saw money ploughed into new signings, including Luis Suarez. However, the team had failed to unite under Luis Enrique who continually chopped and changed his team as well as his tactics.
Barcelona looked uncertain especially defensively and needed its star players to get it out of trouble with their individual skills.
Since the defeat, though, against Real Sociedad in the first game back after Christmas, Barcelona has had a remarkable turnaround. It has restored the desire and hunger reminiscent of Barcelona’s golden spell under Pep Guardiola with 29 goals in eight league and cup games.
Barcelona followed up its elimination of Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey last week with a 3-2 defeat on Sunday of an in-form Villarreal, which came to the Camp Nou on an 18-match unbeaten run.
The coach again tinkered with his side by leaving out Xavi and Ivan Rakitic, and giving a rare chance to Rafinha, but the tactic worked and the win saw the team continue its pursuit of Real Madrid, which is a point ahead at the top of La Liga.
The Catalan side responded well both times they went behind with a ruthless attack led by Neymar and Messi.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
